7.13.2012

I wanted to love Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Ready To Wear($8.99), I really did. Like a date who looks good on paper, this palette should have been perfect. Warm browns, goldenrod, and champagne are some of my favorite eyeshadow colors! But like any disappointing date, my high hopes as were dashed once I got to know this product better.

Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Ready to Wear includes six baked shadows that look gorgeous in the pan. Unfortunately, the formula is hard and chalky so you really have to work hard to load up your brush. Plus, the narrow strips of shadow are placed so close together that it is difficult to pick up one color without bumping another. Given the poor quality of Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Ready to Wear, maneuvering around the pan is more trouble than it's worth.

Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Ready to Wear includes a golden ivory shimmer, champagne shimmer, bright goldenrod shimmer, matte fawn, bronze shimmer and matte charcoal. The pigmentation of all the shades is poor with the exception of the golden ivory shimmer and matte charcoal, which have better color payoff.

Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Ready to Wear Swatches

For this look, I applied the champagne shimmer to my lids and the bronze shimmer to the crease. I highlighted the browbone and inner corners with the golden ivory shimmer. Although you can't really see it, I also blended the bright goldenrod between the crease and browbone. I tightlined my eyes with the matte charcoal.

Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Ready to Wear

Even though I used primer and a white base, I had to apply a LOT of shadow to get it to show up for these pictures. Given the so-so result, I am not impressed with the quality of Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Ready to Wear.

Despite my desire to make it work, it looks like Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Ready to Wear and I are going to have to part ways.

7.12.2012

Talk about a cult favorite. French makeup brand MAKE UP FOR EVER has shot into the spotlight in recent years, thanks in large part to their signature foundation. A favorite of high-profile actresses and beauty industry pros worldwide, MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundationis known for its skin-perfecting coverage, smooth finish, and beautiful appearance in photographs and film.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation in 118 Flesh

From the moment I spread it on my skin, I was amazed by the coverage provided by MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation in 118 Flesh ($42). It's incredible how just a few drops are needed to buff away imperfections and impart a smooth, airbrushed finish. MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation has plenty of slip so it's easy to blend and cover your entire face while still using only a small amount of product. However, I don't think I would use MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation for super-heavy coverage looks because it starts to feel thick as you build it up. Luckily, you likely won't need to layer it much because the coverage is so good with 1-2 pumps.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation in 118 Flesh

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation works well for a variety of skin types. I was expecting it to have a satin, dewy look that would melt on my oily skin, but it actually sets to a natural matte finish that works great for me while still being soft enough for normal to dry skin too.

I've had MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation in 118 Flesh for a little over a month now but the shade was too dark for my pale skin. I've been playing with a lot of self-tanners lately so, while I'm still quite light, this week was the perfect time to transition from Givenchy Photo'Perfexion Fluid Foundation SPF 20 in Perfect Vanillato a shade better suited for my faux summer "tan."

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation in 118 Flesh Swatch

188 Flesh is a light beige shade that works well for my warm-toned skin. MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation is available in a whopping 26 shades ranging from the fairest of fair to a gorgeous ebony, so everyone can find a perfect match for a change!

Bottom Line: I was dying to try this product and I am happy to say that it lives up to the hype. MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation has an amazing formula that effectively covers blemishes and imperfections with a tiny amount of product, and the final result looks like an airbrushed second skin instead of a mask. If you haven't tried this foundation yet, I definitely recommend that you start looking for your color match and see if you wind up a MUFE convert!

Disclaimer: I received a sample of this product from the company for consideration. My review is based on an honest assessment of the product and content was not pre-approved by PR representatives.

7.11.2012

LORAC FACE selfTANtalizer is a gradual self-tanner for your face. The product includes bronzer to give your face a dose of color while the self-tanning chemical (DHA) takes effect. Unfortunately, the bronzer in LORAC FACE selfTANtalizer was not flattering on me at all. I have very light skin and and the bronzing pigment is pretty strong. The heavy tint made me look overly tanned and somewhat orange. I was relieved that I tested this product at nighttime -- I only had my boyfriend's Snooki jokes to avoid!*

The instructions say to squeeze a dime-sized amount of product into your palms and spread it across your face. This proves harder than it should be, because the formula of LORAC FACE selfTANtalizer doesn't have a lot of slip and is difficult to blend. Even application is essential for an attractive result with self-tanner, so I think the lack of easy blendability is a pretty big problem for LORAC FACE selfTANtalizer.

The next morning, I washed off any remaining bronzing tint to see how the self-tanner had actually changed my skin. The result quite subtle, but I did notice a small difference of about half a shade. I like being able to deepen my color just a notch day by day, so LORAC FACE selfTANtalizer ultimately does work well for that. However, I am too dissatisfied with the bronzing tint and the texture of the formula to continue using this product.

Do you think self-tanners specifically for your face are necessary? Have you tried LORAC FACE selfTANtalizer or any other facial self-tanners?

*I do not endorse making fun of Snooki. She seems like a nice girl and my boyfriend should leave her alone!

As you may know, I have an unusual preoccupation with SPF in lip colors. I just love it when companies help you protect your lips from sun damage! Unfortunately, on the somewhat rare chance that it is included at all, SPF tends to be relegated to lip balms, not lipsticks.

Wet n Wild Mega Shield Lip Color SPF 15 in It's a Girl applies very smoothly with near full coverage in a single coat. The texture is light, soft and creamy, so this lipstick feels great when you rub your lips together.

"Bubblegum Pink" were the first words that popped in my head when I first applied Wet n Wild Mega Shield Lip Color SPF 15 in It's a Girl. However, the color is more complex than that. This medium pink shade has hints of light purple that pull it to the cool-toned side. The formula has a nice sheen for lovely finish. I think this lipstick has incredible potential for a mod, Sixties-inspired look.

As with all of Wet n Wild's products, Mega Shield Lip Color SPF 15 in It's a Girl is a total steal. Lucky for us, the quality is good as well. I am glad that Wet n Wild has shown that you can put SPF in a lipstick and still end up with a great formula. Now if only other brands would take notice!

7.09.2012

One of the worst parts of beauty blogging is testing things that irritate your skin. After trying a few skin care products that left my face blotchy and blemished (we'll talk about those duds later), I turned to a winning item to get my skin back in shape.

DDF Amplifying Elixir

DDF Amplifying Elixir is a moisturizing serum that contains a host of ingredients to speed up healing and brighten your complexion. Third on the ingredients list is niacinimide, otherwise known as Vitamin B6. I'm impressed that DDF included niacinimide in such a high quantity, as it is a powerhouse that can improve uneven skin tone, reduce redness from acne, increase elasticity, and help skin maintain its water content. DDF Amplifying Serum also contains amino acids (the building blocks of protein) in the form of alanine, arginine, lysine, proline, threonine. These amino acids are all antioxidants that reduce free-radical damage and brighten your complexion. To top it all off, DDF Amplifying Elixir contains several ingredients like glycerin and glycine that can repair the skin's natural structure and protect it from environmental damage.

The answer: increased smoothness, reduced hyperpigmentation and, perhaps the biggest change of all, a huge boost in overall radiance. I used DDF Amplifying Elixir the night after a recent bout of bad product testing and woke up with unusually luminous skin the next day. This stuff works, and it works fast.

Price is the only problem I have with DDF Amplifying Elixir. For 1.7 ounces (an admittedly large size), DDF charges $70. The lowest price I can find on Amazon is $33.95. I've been using a deluxe sample that I got from my friend Tammy at Makeup Wishes, but I haven't decided if I will be repurchasing or not. I think I will look for a comparable product at a lower price before buying DDF Amplifying Elixir, but I do believe it is an excellent product if you decide to spend the money.

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Red-y Response comes with a large external cap topped with a magnet. The nail polish is infused with metallic particles that collect into a 3-D wave pattern when exposed to the magnet.

The instructions say to first apply a single coat of Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Red-y Response to all ten nails and let dry.

I was surprised by how pretty Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Red-y Response looks even before you use the magnet. I thought the metal particles might show up, but they are not visible. I really like the metallic grape color, and the coverage is quite good for a single coat. However, I question the appropriateness of the "Red-y Response" name. I don't see any red in this nail color!

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Red-y Response

Then, the instructions say to apply a thick second coat and immediately place the magnet over your nail for ten seconds. There is a cuticle guide to help you hold the magnet in place. I think this is extremely helpful; my nervous hands would have had trouble keeping the magnet steady otherwise.

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Red-y Response

The results are nothing short of miraculous! After a mere ten seconds, Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Red-y Response has shifted into a zebra-like wave pattern with tons of depth. The reflection of the design seems to shift as you move your fingers in the light, which gives this polish a dynamic 3-D effect.

I think Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Red-y Response is a great product for polish fiends looking to explore a new look, and newbies like me will love this simple opportunity to experiment with nail art.

Have you tried magnetic nail polish yet? What do you think of this new trend?

I received this product for complimentary testing purposes from Influenster. Influenster is a cool site that connects bloggers to brands that want their products featured. I definitely recommend that other bloggers check this out!